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Top 50 Colleges & Universities in America for 2017

In our 2017 edition of The Best Colleges’ Top 50 Colleges and Universities in America, we aim to create a college ranking that exceeds all others in focusing on what really matters to students and their families, as they may be helping foot the bill for their education. Beyond investigating standard indicators of academic quality and student satisfaction used by other major ranking systems, we’ve also considered indicators of the economic value of good colleges and the quality of life offered by its host city or town.

Choosing good colleges or one of the many good online colleges now available is one of the most important decisions a person will ever make.

The quality of the social and economic opportunities available to a person in their lifetime will, in large part, be determined by whether and where they choose to go to school. In some respects, to choose a college is to choose a future. This is why a college education if referred to by many as an investment. Students and their families spend large amounts of money on tuition, fees, books, and living expenses, not to mention time and effort expecting to get something invaluable in return. Naturally, they want to know they are making a smart choice in where to invest their time and money.

They want to know they will receive a high-quality education among other qualified students where they can get the kind of individualized attention from professors that they deserve. To this end, in generating our rankings, The Best Colleges awarded schools with competitive admissions and a low student-to-faculty ratio.

They want to know they are in a place that other students really want to be, with a track record of satisfaction inspiring enrollees to stick with a program and follow it through to the end. This is why The Best Colleges awarded schools with high rates of enrollment, retention and graduation.

Students also want to be sure that the place they will be living for the next four (or more) years will be a place where they can collaborate and connect with other young, successful, and highly educated people — and not have to go broke to do it. And so, The Best Colleges awarded schools in locations with more youthful, wealthy, and highly educated populations and a low cost of living.

And finally, especially as we continue a gradual return to a stable economy, students (and their parents) want to know that when they graduate they won’t be overburdened by student loan debt and can potentially earn a decent income. For this, The Best Colleges awarded colleges with low tuition, generous financial aid, and a track record of graduating students who go on to make a good living.

In total, The Best Colleges measured each school across a dozen (12) different data points to assign an overall score to each school. A more detailed explanation of our ranking methodology and data sources can be found by clicking here.

Before moving on to the rankings, a few notes to help navigate the list: Underneath each school’s name is a brief introduction, as well as a little bit about the city or town in which the school is located. Below that is the school’s classification, setting, population, and student-to-faculty ratio. Clicking on the magnifying glass icon next to the “student-to-teacher ratio” of a school will expand to display additional information on the school and its location. The entire list of top colleges and universities can be expanded or collapsed by clicking the “expand all” or “collapse all” buttons at the top of the rankings list. This criteria ensured that only top colleges and universities of significant reputation and recognition within the marketplace were included. Because of their specialized programs and unique mission, military academies were not included in this rankings pool.

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Princeton University

This traditional academic powerhouse is also a forward-thinking pioneer in financial aid reform, becoming the first major American university to replace all need-based student loan packages with scholarships and grants.

Princeton, NJ is a wealthy, highly educated but somewhat expensive town frequently rated one of the top places to live in America.

+ Show School Stats

Private Research University

Large Suburb

8,138

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 6.5%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2100-2370

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 32-35

Princeton, New Jersey

Median age: 32.7

Median household income: $114,036

Cost of living index: 120.9

College degreed: 78.8%

Harvard University

The oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education in America needs little introduction. However, some may not be aware of the school’s recent efforts to reduce the economic barriers for prospective low-income students, offering a free ride to students of families making less than $60K a year.

Not surprisingly, Cambridge, MA is one of the most highly educated cities in the country and offers students easy access to Boston’s historical and cultural riches.

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Private Research University

Midsize City

29,652

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 6%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2110-2390

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 32-35

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Median age: 31.5

Median household income: $89,847

Cost of living index: 148.9

College degreed: 78.5%

Swarthmore College

Though no longer officially tied to its Quaker heritage, one of America’s first co-ed schools retains its legacy of social activism, including the “no-loans movement,” which ensures all students not only have access to a high quality college education regardless of financial need, but don’t have to go into debt to get it.

Residents of the wealthy Philadelphia suburb of Swarthmore, PA enjoy a reasonable cost of living and easy access to the big city.

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Private Liberal Arts College

Large Suburb

1,581

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 12%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2020-2290

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 30-34

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Median age: 32.6

Median household income: $105,529

Cost of living index: 105.6

College degreed: 75.6%

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

With emphases in engineering, technology, and computer science, students receive one of the most rigorous and challenging educational experiences available at MIT. One of the top colleges in the U.S., MIT offers a generous financial aid program that covers 100% of tuition and fees through scholarships and grants for students from families making less than $75K.

Named after that famous university across the Atlantic, Cambridge, MA is a highly educated but expensive city in close proximity to Boston.

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Private Research University

Midsize City

11,331

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 8%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2120-2360

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 33-35

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Median age: 31.5

Median household income: $89,847

Cost of living index: 148.9

College degreed: 78.5%

The College of William and Mary

America’s oldest public university offers an Ivy League education at a public school price, committed to ensuring low- and middle-income Virginian students are able to graduate debt-free.

Located in historic Williamsburg, VA, students can take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and a below-average cost of living.

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Public Research University

Large Suburb

8,484

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 34%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1880-2180

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 28-32

Williamsburg, Virginia

Median age: 24.7

Median household income: $49,572

Cost of living index: 100.3

College degreed: 52.4%

Williams College

Through Oxbridge-style tutorials that emphasize student participation and direct engagement with professors, this rigorous liberal arts college also promises students a financial aid package covering all demonstrated need.

A small, picturesque college town, Williamstown, MA is home to a relatively young and highly educated population.

+ Show School Stats

Private Liberal Arts College

Fringe Town

2,171

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 18%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 2000-2330

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-34

Williamstown, Massachusetts

Median age: 22.1

Median household income: $74,860

Cost of living index: 110.9

College degreed: 67.7%

Amherst College

This modestly sized liberal arts college is as liberal with its academics as with its financial aid, allowing students to take whatever courses they want and in any order, while also meeting all demonstrated financial need through grants and scholarships.

The town of Amherst, MA is located in the “happy valley” region, known for its highly educated, artistically inclined and socially progressive population.

+ Show School Stats

Private Liberal Arts College

Fringe Town

1,795

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 14%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2040-2323

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-34

Amherst, Massachusetts

Median age: 21.6

Median household income: $56,590

Cost of living index: 112.3

College degreed: 68.7%

Stanford University

This established world leader in computer science, mathematics, and other left-brain subjects also offers a top-notch liberal arts education to those of modest means through its “no-loans” aid program, which waives tuition for students from families making less than six figures.

Immediately adjacent to the city of Palo Alto and anchoring Silicon Valley, it’s not surprising that Stanford, CA has one of the most tech savvy and highly educated populations in the U.S.

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Private Research University

Large Suburb

16,980

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 5%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2080-2360

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-35

Stanford, California

Median age: 22.1

Median household income: $52,466

Cost of living index: 196.9

College degreed: 93.9%

California Institute of Technology

This former vocational school turned science and engineering powerhouse employs a need-blind admissions policy and graduates students with one of the lowest average debt amounts and among the highest starting salaries.

Best known for hosting the Rose Bowl and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, CA is a moderately expensive city, home to the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and a sizable population of non-indigenous parrots.

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Private Research University

Midsize City

2,255

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 9%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2230-2400

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 34-35

Pasadena, California

Median age: 37.6

Median household income: $77,312

Cost of living index: 140.6

College degreed: 49.5%

Yale University

The school that produced more presidential candidates in the last three decades than any other caters to more than just the upper crust, joining a select few need-blind-admissions universities committed to meeting every student’s demonstrated financial need.

New Haven, CT is pretty pricey, but boasts loads of distinctive, historic architecture, including Hillhouse Avenue, “the most beautiful street in America” according to Charles Dickens.

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Private Research University

Midsize City

12,385

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 7%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2140-2390

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-35

New Haven, Connecticut

Median age: 29.9

Median household income: $36,641

Cost of living index: 134.2

College degreed: 35.1%

University of Pennsylvania

The prestigious Ivy League university born of the mind of Benjamin Franklin carries forward Franklin’s vision of increasing access to a practical liberal arts education through a recently expanded “no-loan” financial aid policy.

The City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, PA, is relatively average in terms of cost, but offers students a host of historical sites and cultural opportunities.

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Private Research University

Large City

24,876

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 10%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2070-2330

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-34

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Median age: 34.1

Median household income: $41,233

Cost of living index: 105.0

College degreed: 27.4%

University of North Carolina

The oldest public university in the United States is one of the original “Public Ivies,” offering a top-quality education accessible to a broad range of students, now made even more accessible through the innovative “Carolina Covenant” program, which guarantees qualified lower-income students the opportunity to graduate debt-free.

An historic but youthful and low-cost town, Chapel Hill, NC boasts abundant natural beauty and a vibrant music scene.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Large Suburb

29,084

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 31%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1810-2130

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 28-33

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Median age: 25.8

Median household income: $64,174

Cost of living index: 97.1

College degreed: 74.0%

Duke University

Known for its outstanding academics and prowess on the basketball court, Duke University’s need-blind and full-need aid policies mean just about anyone with the smarts to get in can afford to study amongst the beautiful Gothic buildings of this elite Southern school.

A former tobacco town, Durham, NC has undergone a significant downtown revitalization in recent years, offering exceptional cultural opportunities to go along with a relatively low cost of living.

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Private Research University

Midsize City

15,984

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 11%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2050-2330

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-34

Durham, North Carolina

Median age: 33.2

Median household income: $52,106

Cost of living index: 94.1

College degreed: 47%

Washington and Lee University

Still partially funded by George Washington’s initial $20,000 investment, this historic liberal arts college combines strong academics with a call to personal character, embodied in an unwritten, student-administered code of honor.

The birthplace of Sam Houston and final resting place of General Lee and Stonewall Jackson, Lexington, VA is a historically rich city with a relatively young population and exceptionally low cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Private Liberal Arts College

Distant Town

2,172

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 24%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1960-2200

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 30-33

Lexington, Virginia

Median age: 21.5

Median household income: $34,669

Cost of living index: 88.8

College degreed: 43.8%

University of Virginia

Thomas Jefferson’s brainchild is a standout among public universities, attracting some of America’s best and brightest while guaranteeing full funding for all students and no debt for those with the most outstanding need.

The hometown of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, Charlottesville, VA offers students high historical value at a very low cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Small Suburb

23,883

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 30%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1870-2180

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 29-33

Charlottesville, Virginia

Median age: 30

Median household income: $50,730

Cost of living index: 96.1

College degreed: 49.8%

Vanderbilt University

This urban university includes a campus designated as a national arboretum, offering students not only beautiful surroundings, but also the opportunity to do so entirely debt-free through a full-need, no-loan financial aid policy.

In addition to the “Music City”‘s outstanding music, dining, and cultural opportunities, Nashville, TN offers students an exceptionally low cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Private Research University

Large City

12,567

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 12%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2120-2360

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 32-35

Nashville, Tennessee

Median age: 34.1

Median household income: $51,393

Cost of living index: 89.6

College degreed: 37.9%

Colgate University

Named for the toothpaste magnate, this former Baptist seminary turned non-sectarian liberal arts college has made great strides in recent years, opening up its top-notch academic programs to a more socially and economically diverse population, as well as promising to meet the demonstrated financial need of all students.

A quaint, cozy village with a relatively young and highly educated population, the town of Hamilton, NY is only slightly larger than the University itself.

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Liberal Arts College

Distant Town

2,861

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 27%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1250-1450

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 30-33

Hamilton, New York

Median age: 21.5

Median household income: $79,711

Cost of living index: 104.6

College degreed: 61.8%

Rice University

A small research university known for its programs in the applied sciences, the school also embodies a strong commitment to undergraduate education, adopting a residential college system with a student-enforced Honor Code that allows for all tests and exams to be taken home and completed unsupervised and at the student’s convenience.

Students on the large wooded campus near the Houston, TX Museum District have easy access to the amenities of the massive and relatively low-cost city.

+ Show School Stats

Private Research University

Large City

6,719

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 16%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2070-2330

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 32-35

Houston, Texas

Median age: 32.6

Median household income: $48,064

Cost of living index: 93.7

College degreed: 30.9%

Brown University

This small Ivy League research university places a strong emphasis on undergraduate education and offers a “no-loan” financial aid policy for students from families making less than $100K, as well as zero family contribution for students from families making less than $60K.

An inexpensive place to live, Providence, RI is the state capital and boasts more coffee shops and restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S.

+ Show School Stats

Private Research University

Midsize City

9,458

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 9%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2060-2340

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-34

Providence, Rhode Island

Median age: 29.9

Median household income: $39,015

Cost of living index: 95.6

College degreed: 30.1%

Pomona College

Pomona offers the institutional resources of a large university (through its membership in the Claremont University Consortium) while remaining a small, academically challenging liberal arts college. The school recently adopted a “no-loans” financial aid policy, meeting all demonstrated student financial need through grants and scholarships.

With seven institutions of higher education and loads of beautiful trees, the wealthy town of Claremont, CA has become known as “the City of Trees and Ph.D.s.”

+ Show School Stats

Private Liberal Arts College

Large Suburb

1,663

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 10%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2040-2300

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 30-34

Claremont, California

Median age: 40.4

Median household income: $93,151

Cost of living index: 133.1

College degreed: 56.2%

University of Michigan

One of the original “Public Ivies” offers comparable academic quality and many of the amenities of much more expensive schools while continuing to open up greater access to lower income students. The school’s M-Pact program, for example, replaces student loans with grants for those with the greatest need.

With a reputation for being socially progressive, Ann Arbor, MI has been recognized as one of the best small cities to live in, offering its highly educated population a lower-than-average cost of living, among other unique amenities.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Midsize City

43,651

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 26%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1930-2230

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 29-33

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Median age: 27.5

Median household income: $60,147

Cost of living index: 95.1

College degreed: 72.2%

Cooper Union

This unique institution of higher education focuses exclusively on architecture, engineering, and the fine arts, while maintaining the vision of its founder for education being as “free as air and water.” A full scholarship is offered to every student admitted.

It may be crowded and expensive, but New York, NY is also one of the most interesting and exciting places to live for students who are drawn to urban life.

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Private Liberal Arts College

Large City

972

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 13%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: N/A

ACT 25th-75th percentile: N/A

New York, New York

Median age: 36

Median household income: $55,752

Cost of living index: 164.8

College degreed: 36.8%

University of California-Berkeley

The one-time hotbed of student activism still offers students diverse opportunities for self-expression, as well as one of the most outstanding undergraduate educations in the world, at a public-school price.

Located on the San Francisco Bay, Berkeley, CA is a highly educated and relatively expensive city with a reputation as one of the most politically liberal atmospheres in the country.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Midsize City

38,189

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 17%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1880-2270

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 30-34

Berkeley, California

Median age: 32.5

Median household income: $73,462

Cost of living index: 157.3

College degreed: 73.1%

Dartmouth College

The smallest of the Ivy League schools is big on quality and generous with financial aid, as one of only seven institutions of higher education in the world to practice need-blind admissions and meet the full financial need of all students, including internationals.

A young, diverse, and highly educated small town, Hanover, NH is frequently rated one of the top places to live in America.

+ Show School Stats

Private Research University

Fringe Rural

6,350

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 11%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2000-2340

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 30-34

Hanover, New Hampshire

Median age: 22.5

Median household income: $91,992

Cost of living index: 100.2

College degreed: 84.2%

Claremont McKenna College

Pursuing the ideals embodied in its motto, “Civilization prospers with commerce,” this small liberal arts college emphasizes government, economics, and international affairs programs, and practices a full-need, no-loan financial aid policy.

As part of the Claremont University Consortium, the college shares a campus and facilities with six other higher education institutions in the highly educated and relatively expensive town of Claremont, CA.

+ Show School Stats

Private Liberal Arts College

Large Suburb

1,349

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 11%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 2030-2290

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 29-33

Hanover, New Hampshire

Median age: 40.4

Median household income: $93,151

Cost of living index: 133.1

College degreed: 56.2%

Texas A&M University

Texas’ oldest public university has a heart as big as its massive campus and student body, offering a full-need, no-loan financial aid package to qualified Texas student from families making less than $60K a year.

A youthful and highly educated town, College Station, TX offers country flavor in a conservative atmosphere and an exceptionally low cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Fringe Rural

63,813

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 67%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1560-1920

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 25-30

College Station, Texas

Median age: 22.9

Median household income: $37,478

Cost of living index: 90.1

College degreed: 54.5%

University of California-Davis

This former farming school has developed into a world leader in science and engineering research. The school has also expanded opportunities for qualified low- and middle-income California students by covering the cost of tuition and fees of students from families making less than $80K a year.

One of the most highly educated cities in America, Davis, CA is known for its liberal politics and bike-friendly streets, and also manages to keep its cost of living relatively low.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Small Suburb

35,186

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 38%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1600-1990

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 25-31

Davis, California

Median age: 26.3

Median household income: $58,176

Cost of living index: 107.4

College degreed: 72.5%

Georgia Institute of Technology

One of the nation’s few public technology institutions, Georgia Institute of Technology has a global reputation for its science and engineering programs, and works to make sure promising Georgia students from low-income families have the opportunity to graduate debt-free.

Atlanta, GA is a low-cost, cosmopolitan city known for its cultural diversity and business-friendly climate.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Large City

25,034

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 32%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1950-2230

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 27-31

Atlanta, Georgia

Median age: 33.1

Median household income: $46,485

Cost of living index: 98

College degreed: 48.4%

Davidson College

This small college doesn’t have the public profile of some comparable schools, but offers students an outstanding liberal arts education with the opportunity to design their own majors. Davidson was among the first liberal arts colleges to implement a full-need, no-loan financial aid policy.

A quaint, wealthy and highly educated college town, Davidson, NC offers both Southern charm and a very low cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Private Liberal Arts College

Large Suburb

1,784

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 22%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1870-2160

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 29-32

Atlanta, Georgia

Median age: 36.5

Median household income: $105,137

Cost of living index: 94.2

College degreed: 66.9%

University of Notre Dame

The nation’s flagship Catholic university offers students a world-class education within a strongly religious environment. The university also practices a need-blind/full-need approach to admissions and aid, with a commitment to keeping student debt as low as possible.

South Bend, IN, only about an hour from the big city of Chicago, offers students an extremely low cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Private Research University

Large Suburb

12,292

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 20%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1320-1510

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-34

South Bend, Indiana

Median age: 32.4

Median household income: $36,273

Cost of living index: 84.8

College degreed: 22.8%

Cornell University

An Ivy League school with a historical commitment to professional studies and equal access, Cornell requires no financial contribution from families making less than $60K. It also meets the full financial need of all students, with no loans for families making less than $75K and offering extremely reasonable loan caps for families who make more.

A small city with a college-town feel, the moderately expensive Ithaca, NY hosts a highly educated population and a vibrant cultural scene.

+ Show School Stats

Private Research University

Small City

21,904

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 15%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1330-1530

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 30-34

Ithaca, New York

Median age: 21.9

Median household income: $33,594

Cost of living index: 113.6

College degreed: 62.9%

Harvey Mudd College

Sharing a campus and facilities with other Claremont colleges, this tiny liberal arts school maintains an exclusive focus on science, engineering and mathematics, and its graduates tend to earn a higher income than any other school in the area.

A wealthy college town at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, Claremont, CA has a highly educated population and a relatively high cost of living to match.

+ Show School Stats

Private Liberal Arts College

Large Suburb

825

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 13%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2080-2320

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 32-35

Claremont, California

Median age: 40.4

Median household income: $93,151

Cost of living index: 133.1

College degreed: 56.2%

Carleton College

The home of the oldest student-run pub, Carleton offers students an exceptional liberal arts education and a generous full-need financial aid program, covering the majority of tuition costs through grants and scholarships.

Famous as the almost-but-thwarted site of one of the Jesse James Gang’s last bank robberies, Northfield, MN is a college town on the Cannon River with a relatively young population and an extremely low cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Private Liberal Arts College

Fringe Town

2,014

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 21%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1980-2270

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 29-33

Northfield, Minnesota

Median age: 27.1

Median household income: $55,657

Cost of living index: 76.8

College degreed: 47.8%

Bucknell University

The largest private liberal arts college in America has strengths in engineering and environmental sciences, drawing on its size to offer a wider variety of courses and research opportunities than most other comparable liberal arts schools.

Lewisburg, PA is a historic rural borough on the Susquehanna River, home to a youthful population and low cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Private Liberal Arts College

Fringe Rural

3,625

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 25%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1800-2080

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 28-32

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Median age: 24.7

Median household income: $45,971

Cost of living index: 91.2

College degreed: 29.5%

University of Washington

Among the oldest and largest universities on the West Coast, this highly regarded “Public Ivy” guarantees a full ride to low-income Washingtonians through its “Husky Promise” program.

One of the nation’s most educated large cities, Seattle, WA is a haven for espresso aficionados and indie rock lovers everywhere.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Large City

45,408

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 53%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1650-2200

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 26-31

Seattle, Washington

Median age: 35.5

Median household income: $80,349

Cost of living index: 120.3

College degreed: 62.1%

University of Florida

One of the premier public universities in the nation, University of Florida has taken consistent steps to increase accessibility to economically disadvantaged students, joining a handful of other schools around the country in eliminating early admissions that don’t allow students time to evaluate financial aid offers before making a decision.

Frequently recognized as one of the best places to live in America, Gainesville, FL is a youthful city with a remarkably low cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Midsize City

50,645

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 48%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1740-2020

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 27-31

Gainesville, Florida

Median age: 26

Median household income: $34,313

Cost of living index: 89.1

College degreed: 44.6%

University of Texas at Austin

One of the original “Public Ivies,” Texas’ largest university also has the largest endowment of any other public university in the nation, allowing it to offer outstanding research opportunities in addition to being generous with financial aid.

Billed as “The Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin, TX is a youthful and active city with an eclectic personality and reasonable cost of living.

+ Show School Stats

Public Research University

Large City

50,950

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 39%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1730-2100

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 26-32

Austin, Texas

Median age: 32

Median household income: $56,351

Cost of living index: 94.8

College degreed: 46.7%

Purdue University

The first university with its own airport and an established leader in aviation, aerospace and engineering, Purdue has graduated more aviators and astronauts, including both the first man and the last man to walk on the moon, than any other university.

West Lafayette, IN is an inexpensive, youthful and highly educated suburban city overlooking the Wabash River.

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Public Research University

Midsize Suburb

40,472

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 59%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1590-1960

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 25-31

West Lafayette, Indiana

Median age: 21.9

Median household income: $30,099

Cost of living index: 91.4

College degreed: 70.2%

University of Chicago

This big city school with a strong academic reputation also practices need-blind admissions and is committed to meet the full demonstrated financial need of every student for the entirety of their undergraduate career.

For those who love big city life, it’s hard to top Chicago, IL, billed “the most American of big cities” with a relatively low cost of living.

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Private Research University

Large City

15,391

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 8%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2140-2380

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 32-35

Chicago, Illinois

Median age: 34.2

Median household income: $50,702

Cost of living index: 107.3

College degreed: 36.6%

Bowdoin College

The alma mater of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is one of an increasing number of “SAT optional” schools, further expanding access to a more diverse population through its need-blind admissions and full-need, no-loan financial aid policy.

Brunswick, ME is a small coastal town with a low cost of living and a long, rich history.

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Private Liberal Arts College

Fringe Town

1,779

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 15%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: N/A (scores optional)

ACT 25th-75th percentile: N/A (scores optional)

Brunswick, Maine

Median age: 43.9

Median household income: $50,668

Cost of living index: 100.8

College degreed: 41.2%

University of California at Los Angeles

With an outstanding global reputation for both academics and athletics, not to mention its glamorous location, the country’s most selective public university also receives more freshman applications than any other school in the U.S.

The second largest city in the nation, Los Angeles, CA is a global leader in entertainment, fashion, culture, and business, though the cost of living is high.

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Public Research University

Large City

41,908

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 17%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1770-2200

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 28-33

Los Angeles, California

Median age: 35

Median household income: $52,024

Cost of living index: 141.3

College degreed: 32.6%

Berea College

The first coeducational and racially integrated college in the American South caters especially to low-income students, offering an outstanding liberal arts education at no charge. The only requirement is that every student put in 10 hours of work at the school per week.

The little town of Berea, KY is one of the country’s fastest growing locales, thanks in part to an exceptionally low cost of living and vibrant arts and crafts scene.

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Private Liberal Arts College

Distant Town

1,643

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 37%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1565-1860

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 22-26

Berea, Kentucky

Median age: 32.5

Median household income: $42,724

Cost of living index: 83.2

College degreed: 28.3%

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

A “Public Ivy” renowned especially for its science and engineering programs boasts the largest library of any public university. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is committed to covering the costs of tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies for admitted Illinois students from families that are below the poverty line.

The twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, IL (a.k.a. “Chambana”) have youthful, well-educated populations and a very low cost of living.

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Public Research University

Small City

45,842

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 66%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1860-2160

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 26-31

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Median age: 24.3

Median household income: $34,699

Cost of living index: 88.6

College degreed: 54.6%

Wellesley College

This women’s college has graduated more female leaders of Fortune 500 companies than any other. Wellesley has also incorporated a need-blind admissions policy in recent years, making a commitment to meeting every student’s full demonstrated financial need, and replacing loans with scholarships for students with the greatest need.

The highest-educated small town in America, Wellesley, MA is also extremely wealthy and expensive.

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Private Liberal Arts College

Large Suburb

2,510

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 30%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 1940-2240

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 27-33

Wellesley, Massachusetts

Median age: 36.4

Median household income: $174,153

Cost of living index: 141.2

College degreed: 83.4%

Northwestern University

This lakeside research university has strengths in journalism, communication, engineering, education, and music, but provides all students with a solid foundation in the liberal arts. Northwestern is also committed to meet 100% of demonstrated student need through grants, loans and scholarships.

Evanston, IL is a highly educated, moderately wealthy city located on the banks of Lake Michigan and just minutes from downtown Chicago.

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Private Research University

Small City

21,655

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 13%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2080-2330

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-34

Evanston, Illinois

Median age: 36.8

Median household income: $70,969

Cost of living index: 108.7

College degreed: 108.7

Columbia University

This elite Ivy League university in the middle of the Big Apple is an academic powerhouse, responsible for awarding the Pulitzer Prize and boasting more Nobel Prize laureates than any other institution of higher education.

If you can afford the high cost of living, there’s nothing like New York, NY, widely considered the financial and cultural capital of the world.

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Private Research University

Large City

28,086

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 7%

SAT 25th-75th percentile: 2070-2360

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 31-35

New York, New York

Median age: 36

Median household income: $55,752

Cost of living index: 164.8

College degreed: 36.8%

Georgetown University

North America’s oldest Catholic university emphasizes social justice in its curriculum as well as its admissions policy, taking a need-blind approach by committing to cover the full demonstrated financial need of all students through a combination of scholarships, grants, and loans.

As the capital city of the United States, Washington, D.C. is abuzz with political and cultural activity, but also pretty pricey for those who can afford to live there.

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Private Research University

Large City

18,459

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 17%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1320-1500

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 30-34

Washington, District of Columbia

Median age: 33.8

Median household income: $75,628

Cost of living index: 125.6

College degreed: 56.7%

Washington University in St. Louis

This prestigious research university known for hosting more presidential debates than any other institution has strengths in business, social work, medicine and law. Washington University also practices a full-need, no-loan financial aid policy for low-income students.

Near the convergence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, St. Louis, MO offers inexpensive big city living and some of the best barbecue and blues tunes around.

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Private Research University

Large City

14,688

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 17%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 2090-2320

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 32-34

St. Louis, Missouri

Median age: 35

Median household income: $38,397

Cost of living index: 90.3

College degreed: 34.7%

Middlebury College

One of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the country, Middlebury College builds on a longstanding legacy of progressive thinking and policies. The college offers need-blind admissions and a commitment to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all students.

A small college town with a highly educated population and a low cost of living, Middlebury, VT is situated in a scenic valley between the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks.

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Private Liberal Arts College

Fringe Rural

2,558

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 17%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1920-2260

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 29-33

Middlebury, Vermont

Median age: 23.4

Median household income: $51,039

Cost of living index: 95.9

College degreed: 46%

Emory University

This Methodist research university with a strong emphasis on undergraduate liberal arts education also cultivates a commitment to service through through need-blind admissions as well as its Emory Advantage program, which eliminates or minimizes debt for low and middle-income students.

The business and cultural hub of the American South, Atlanta, GA offers a low-cost, big city blend of Southern hospitality and global cosmopolitanism.

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Private Research University

Large Suburb

13,788

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate: 24%

SAT 25th-75th percentile*: 1910-2220

ACT 25th-75th percentile: 29-33

Atlanta, Georgia

Median age: 33.1

Median household income: $46,485

Cost of living index: 98

College degreed: 48.4%

Detailed Ranking Methodology

A college education is among the largest and most important investments of time, effort and money many Americans will make in their lives. The Best Colleges ranking of the 50 top colleges and universities in America for 2017 aims to help guide undergraduate students and their parents in making a wise investment toward a brighter future at one of the many good online colleges or a more traditional brick and mortar school.

The schools on our list endured a rigorous selection process and were objectively evaluated across 12 unique data points in four different categories: economic value, quality of life, academic quality, and student satisfaction. Subjective decisions were limited to which data points to consider and how much weight should be given to each.

Reputation and Recognition

In order to be included in our rankings pool, a school must be a four-year, bachelor-degree-granting liberal arts college or university in the U.S. Good colleges and good online colleges must have ranked at least once in the last year among the top 50 in another major American ranking system, such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Washington Monthly, or Newsweek. In ranking systems that Salary Report, data for the was collected through a voluntary survey of full-time employees in the U.S. with a bachelor’s degree. Salary data for each of the schools in our pool was standardized using Z-scores, then weighted to give it a 10% overall importance in the final ranking of top colleges.

Rankings Criteria and Weights

Economic Value (35%)

Real Cost (15%)

Median starting salary of graduates (10%)

Median mid-career salary of graduates (10%)

Quality of Life (30%)

Cost of Living Index of city/town (15%)

Median age of city/town residents (5%)

Median household income of city/town residents (5%)

Percentage of city/town residents with bachelor’s degree or higher (5%)

Academic Quality (20%)

Acceptance rate (10%)

Student-to-faculty ratio (10%)

Student Satisfaction (15%)

Enrollment rate (5%)

Freshman to sophomore retention rate (5%)

Six-year graduation rate (5%)

ECONOMIC VALUE

Real Cost As the cost of a college education continues to climb and the economy slowly regains its strength, keeping costs and student loan debt low is more important to students and their families than ever. With that in mind, The Best Colleges awarded schools for having lower real costs, calculated by subtracting the average amount of freshmen financial aid from the estimated undergraduate student tuition and fees. Schools typically assess average financial aid amounts based on the tuition costs of the majority of their student body, with public schools drawing most of their students from in-state, so we subtracted the average aid amount from in-state tuition costs. Data on tuition, fees, and aid was taken from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the core postsecondary education data collection program of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) branch of the U.S. Department of Education. After determining the real cost, we standardized the data using Z-scores and weighted it 15% of overall importance in the final ranking.

Median Starting Salary of Graduates In order to get a sense of the value of a degree from any given college, the likely economic payoff should be a consideration. Students and their parents want to know that there is a well-paying job awaiting graduates in return for all their blood, sweat, tears, and cash. To this end, The Best Colleges awarded schools with higher starting salaries for recent graduates by collecting data on the median starting salary of college graduates from the 2016-2017 PayScaleU College Salary Report.

Median Mid-Career Salary of Graduates The salary of a college graduate several years into a career is just as important as their salary immediately after graduation and may, in fact, indicate more about the knowledge and skills gained in school, since recent graduates are often hired more for the reputation of their alma mater than their individual qualifications. To this end, The Best Colleges awarded schools with higher mid-career salaries for graduates. We considered the median mid-career salaries of college graduates (10-19 years post-graduation) from the 2016-2017 PayScaleU College Salary Report. Data for the report was collected through a voluntary survey of full-time employees in the U.S. with a bachelor’s degree. This salary data for each of the schools in our pool was standardized using Z-scores and then weighted to give it a 10% overall importance in the final ranking.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Cost of Living Index Many students (and their parents) are concerned with living in a place where they can stretch their dollar as much as possible. The Best Colleges measured the buying power of a student’s dollar in a given location by using the cost-of-living index (COLI), a theoretical price index which measures the relative cost of living in a place base on the relative costs of goods and services. Schools were awarded for being in locations with a lower COLI. The COLI of each city/town came from City-Data.com, a private company which collects and analyzes data on thousands of U.S. locations. This COLI data was standardized using Z-scores and assigned a weight of 15% overall importance in the final ranking.

Median Age of Population Assuming most students prefer to live with and around other young people, and appreciate the social and cultural opportunities therein, The Best Colleges awarded cities/towns with more youthful populations. Data on the median age of a city/town’s population was taken from City-Data.com. Median age date for each of the cities/towns in our pool was standardized using Z-scores and assigned a weight of 5% overall importance in the final ranking.

Median Household Income Assuming that most students prefer to live in areas populated by economically successful people, often tied to greater social, cultural and economic opportunities, The Best Colleges awarded cities/towns with higher amounts of income wealth. Data on the median household income of a city/town’s population was collected from City-Data.com. After median household income was collected, it was standardized using Z-scores and assigned a weight of 5% overall importance in the final ranking.

Percentage of Population with College Degrees Assuming that students prefer to live in places with well-educated populations, often leading to greater tolerance and more interesting social opportunities, The Best Colleges awarded cities/towns with a greater percentage of residents with college degrees. Data on the percentage of a town/city’s residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher was collected from City-Data.com. Percentage of population with college degrees was standardized using Z-scores and assigned a weight of 5% overall importance in the final ranking.

ACADEMIC QUALITY

Acceptance Rate The quality of a college education is largely determined by the academic quality and competitiveness of the student body. Generally, the more stringent and selective a college’s admissions process, the better the quality of its students. And so, The Best Colleges awarded schools with lower acceptance rates. Data on acceptance rates was collected from the IPEDS database. Data on acceptance rates was standardized using Z-scores and assigned a weight of 10% overall importance in the final ranking.

Student-to-Faculty Ratio Assuming that smaller class sizes and fewer students per professor equals more individualized attention and greater access to faculty during and after class, The Best Colleges awarded schools with lower student-to-faculty ratios. The most recent student-to-faculty ratio data was collected from the IPEDS database. Data on student-to-faculty ratios was standardized using Z-scores and assigned a weight of 10% overall importance in the final ranking.

STUDENT SATISFACTION

Enrollment Rate Generally, students are happier and more satisfied at a school where they really want to be. And so, The Best Colleges awarded schools with higher enrollment rates, which measure the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll. In most cases, a higher enrollment rate indicates a school is more desirable to students who apply. The most recent data available on enrollment rates was collected from the IPEDS database. This data was then standardized using Z-scores and assigned a weight of 5% overall importance in the final ranking.

Retention Rate The freshman-to-sophomore retention rate measures the percentage of students who return to a school after their freshman year. We interpret this as a general measure of student satisfaction and awarded schools with higher retention rates. Data on enrollment rates was collected from the IPEDS database, standardized using Z-scores and assigned a weight of 5% overall importance in the final ranking.

12. Six-Year Graduation Rate The six-year graduation rate measures the percentage of students who graduate from a school within six years of enrolling. We interpret this as a general measure of good colleges in terms of student satisfaction, and awarded schools with higher graduation rates. Data on graduation rates was collected from the IPEDS database, standardized using Z-scores and assigned a weight of 5% overall importance in the final ranking.